Markneukirchen – Vogtland Region, Saxony, Germany
E. R. Schmidt & Co.

Woods, metal, ebony w/case and bow
ca. 1874-1902
Length of back: 13.75 inches
Strings – Zither – Fretted Bowed

Labeled:   Verfertigt v. Ernst. Reinh. Schmidt,/Markneukirchen in Sachsen./Made in Germany

A fretted bowed zither from the workshop of the Markneukirchen luthier Ernst Reinhold Schmidt (1857-1928).  E. Reinhold Schmidt ranks amongst the key figures in Markneukirchen (German Cremona) violin making.

Schmidt founded his own studio in 1874, E. R. Schmidt & Co., where he enjoyed major international successes. From 1920 on, his son, student and successor Reinhold Willy Schmidt ran the business with him.  The label indicates that this zither was made by E. Reinhold Schmidt and not his son.  It is of excellent quality with an evenly grained spruce top and a sycamore maple with deep flames used for the back.  It is further enhanced by a well-carved German lion head scroll.